Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Baxter Business Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd, for breaches of the Environment Protection Act at their Fraser Road, Clayton landfill site.
The company has been issued five Official Warnings in the last two years and EPA Southern Metro Manager Marleen Mathias described the latest breaches as ‘disappointing’.
EPA issued Baxter Business with two Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) with penalties of $7,773 each and an Official Warning for breaching three separate licence conditions at the Fraser Road Landfill. The PINs were issued for failure to cover waste at the site and for leachate levels in excess of EPA licence compliance limits. The Official Warning was issued for the use of an alternate daily cover at the landfill without EPA approval.
“EPA actively regulates the landfills in the Clayton area and has inspected the Fraser Road Landfill on a number of occasions this year, which lead to the identification of the offences,” Ms Mathias said
“It’s very disappointing that the operator continues to breach its licence conditions – EPA issued them with five Official Warnings in the last two years for breaches of EPA licence conditions relating to failing to cover waste, landfill gas and leachate issues and failure to notify EPA of issues in a timely fashion.
“EPA will continue to inspect the site and if further breaches are identified, appropriate enforcement action will be carried out in line with EPA’s Compliance & Enforcement Policy.”
Ms Mathias said if anyone experiences odour issues in the Clayton area, they were encouraged to call EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).